Rose M. Spears

Life ReflectionMay 20, 1944 - December 21, 2016ROSE MARY SPEARS (MAE) My sweet wife was born on May 20, 1944, in St. Petersburg, Florida to the union of Jake Smith and Lucille (Frailey) Smith. Rose Spears was the oldest of nine children to that union. She acknowledged her faith in Christ at an early age at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She went to Kirkwood High School where she learned to play the clarinet. She graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1962 with Honors. Upon graduation she joined the Army. White in the military she was trained as a Medic and became a member of the military band. On January 2, 1962 while in the military she married Walter B. Spears, II and became a Catholic. To that union (of 54 years) was born three sons: Walter B. Spears, III (Tony), Mark Spears and Shawn Spears (Jeff). Walter and Rose moved back to St. Louis, Missouri shortly after the birth of their first child. She work-ed at the U.S. Postal Service in St. Louis, as a Postal Clerk. She then transferred to the Veterans Admin-istration and worked as a Clerk. She later worked at the Frisco Railroad as an Engineer. After quitting that job she took time off work and continued to raise her children. After several years, she started work-ing at the U.S. Army Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri as a Employment Developed Specialist. She then transferred to SSA in Richmond, California and worked as a Social Insurance Specialist. While working and raising her children, she earned her B.A. in Business Management at the University of Concordia in Missouri, a B.A. in Business Administration at Columbia University in Missouri and went on to earn her Master's Degree in Psychology at Webster University in Missouri. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, reading and talking with her family and friends. Rose was preceded in death by her father, Jake Smith, her mother, Lucille Smith, her brother, James Smith, her sister, Emperia Johnson, her sisters-in-law, Marion (MaeMae) Hulsey and Henrieitta Jackson. She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband - Walter B. Spears; her children - Walter Spears, ill (Tony), Mark Spears, and Shawn Spears (Jeff); her sisters and brothers - Earl Smith (EJ.), Beatrice Westfall, Barbara Moyey April Calvin, Kanitha Edward and Timothy Smith; her sister-in-law - Hildagarde (Ann) Spears; two grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members. Interment:J.B. National Cemetery2900 SheridanSt. Louis, MO 63125 . Visitation Thursday, Dec 29, 2016 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Williams-James Mortuary, Inc. - Chapel 1424 Dielman Road St. Louis, MO 63132 Funeral Service Friday, Dec 30, 2016 11:00 AM St. Peter Catholic Church 243 W. Argonne Kirkwood, MO 63122